Special athletes
Aimee, Jenna Gillis recognized for volunteer efforts
Special Olympics P.E.I. named Summerside’s Jeremy Wall one of the two Athletes of the Year at the annual awards ceremony held recently.
It was a night of celebration for Special Olympics P.E.I. Over 200 athletes, family members, friends and supporters gathered recently for the organization’s annual awards ceremony.
Jeremy Wall of Summerside and Montague’s Ellen MacNearney were named the P.E.I. Mutual Insurance Company athletes of the year.
Wall’s competitive spirit and desire to win is evident with an outstanding work ethic and an unmatched sense of humour. He was very successful at this summer’s Provincial Games, and will be heading to the National Summer Games in 2018. Wall, who is a role model for other athletes by putting forth his best effort each week, has improved his track times and field events, winning gold medals in every division at the Provincial Games. MacNearney is coming off one of her best swimming seasons yet. She attended the Canada Games, where she made a final in one of her weaker strokes. MacNearney also won six gold medals at the Provincial Games in New Brunswick – one for each of her events. MacNearney, who is always smiling and is a true champion of Special Olympics, has worked hard throughout the year to accomplish these feats. She carries a lot of pride and represents the province well.
Volunteer award
Aimee and Jenna Gillis are this year’s recipients of the Department of Health and Wellness Sport Volunteer Award. Aimee and Jenna are members of a family whose most recent traditions include weekly involvement in providing Special Olympics sports for athletes in the Summerside area. Whether it is basketball, bocce, bowling or youth programs, they’re always willing to help out and provide athletes a quality program experience. They attended the 2017 Summer Provincial Games for bocce, and have been one of the instrumental factors in the volunteer sustainability for the Summerside area. They have gone over and above on many occasions.
Aimee and Jenna respect the core values of Special Olympics – inclusion, diversity, empowerment, respect and excellence.
Coaches of year
Jamie Matheson of Montague and Carole-Ann French of Charlottetown were announced as Maritime Electric coaches of the year.
Matheson has been a volunteer coach for a number of years, and has seen the Montague golf program grow to double-digit numbers two seasons in a row.
Matheson attended the Provincial Games this past summer, and has been selected to the provincial team-training program for the 2018 National Games.
It is never about winning and losing with Matheson; it’s about having fun and learning new skills. His encouraging personality allows athletes to be themselves while developing their
skills. He celebrates any and all achievements, whether they are related to golf or life in general. French has been a champion of the Special Olympics movement for 15 years. Her compassion
is best exemplified through her role as head coach of Charlottetown’s bocce program, which has grown from under 10 participants in 2014 to over 30 in 2017.
French, who has been selected head coach of Team P.E.I.’s 2018 bocce team, assists athletes to become productive members of their families, schools and communities.